PEOPLE

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Advocate Hitesh C Soni is an Indian lawyer who practices in the Bombay High Court.  He was awarded with ‘Mahatma Gandhi Lifetime Achievement Award 2023’ at 31 and is believed to be the youngest to get this award at such an early age. He is featured in the “Annual Guide to the World's Top Lawyers covers The Americas, Europe, Asia & Oceania, and Africa & the Middle East. He was appointed a Court Commissioner by the Honorable Bombay High Court on November 21, 2022, and has served on the distinguished panel since. Hitesh was recently awarded the Rashtriya Gaurav Award 2022 &  featured in “Most Prestigious & Trusted Legal Leader in 2022” the Editor acclaimed him The Astute, Sharp-Witted Leader  He was also awarded with the Global Lex-Falcon Awards Dubai 2022 & with the prestigious Indian Achievers' Award 2021. He has made significant contributions to the evolution of the law through a number of reported judgments’.  He possesses extensive legal expertise in the area of constitutional law, corporate and commercial law, international trade and customs law, immigration law, and white-collar crime.

In 2017, he founded his own law firm, M/s Hitesh Soni and Associates, with its headquarters in Bombay. For a first-generation lawyer to establish a legal practice in Bombay at the young age of 26 is widely regarded as exceptional in the field of law.

As an attorney, Hitesh C Soni has a reputation as an extraordinary young professional because of his holistic thought and ethical behavior in the legal field. Insights Success Magazine just included him in its “Most Reliable Law Firm” issue, which was published in June 2021. Acclaimed as a “Erudite Visionary” by Magazine Editors.

The Erudite Visionary 

The person responsible for the success of Hitesh Soni & Associates is none other than Mr. Hitesh C. Soni. He is an independent counsel is the Founder & Managing Director of the firm. He was born into a business family in Mount Abu and is well-known for his transparency, efficiency, versatility, and ethical legal practice, as well as his excellent leadership skills. He holds a B.A. LL. B (Honors) degree from Jodhpur National University and International Law IBM Berlin Germany. Within a year of obtaining his law degree, he founded his own full-service law firm in Mumbai.Mr. Soni possesses considerable litigation expertise and has represented clients in company, criminal, statutory and civil litigation, maritime and utility disputes, income-tax, power and energy, customs, intellectual property rights, excise, and other indirect taxation.

Overcoming Tremendous Difficulties Mr. Soni states that he is a fortunate fellow who had dreamt of becoming a lawyer at the age of 15. By the time he was in his first year of law, being completely unknown to all the sufferings and difficulties he would eventually face, he only wished to establish his own law firm in Mumbai.While pursuing his law studies, Mr. Soni also took up a permanent part-time internship, attending courts for the entire 5 years. Subsequently he shifted to Mumbai and established his own law firm. “It was a dream come to true for me”, says Mr. Soni.Mr. Soni believes that one can start a business with money but cannot succeed in the legal profession through financial support. He adds, “In the legal profession, whether you’re a second-generation lawyer or first generation, you have to prove your presence, which is only possible if you have legal mind, honesty, and consistency”.He says that things are even difficult if a person starts practicing in the India’s financial capital. However, Mr. Soni’s secret to overcoming postgraduate challenges was the idea that worked for him. He believed in the idea of attaining maximum practical knowledge during law school, which was only possible with having vast and cogent knowledge.

Tackling the Pandemic Efficiently Hitesh Soni & Associates initially started with preparing a blueprint for tech-driven practice while ensuring the safety of their resources, but gradually, these activities became a practice for them. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the firm has served justice through virtual platforms. “It is true that everyone in our lives is affected for one or other reason. In such uncertain times, it is often difficult for clients to decide whether to proceed with legal recourse or to wait while risking their operations”, opines Mr. Soni. The firm has assisted its clients by providing strategic support while ensuring their maximum safety.Its operation was hampered at the start of the lockdown, but it was eventually restored; the office staff visited the office only when their physical presence was unavoidable. “Prior to the second wave, our high court was only functioning physically in such situations; people at the firm were required to attend office and court hearings. But we have been ensuring no-contact, such as for senior citizen clients and those who are at risk, and their signature and notarization of documents require physical attendance of clients, we have provided them homely service, many times segregated from the public”, states Mr. Soni.Words of Inspiration for the Leaders of TomorrowWhile advising the gen next, Mr. Soni states, “If you’re into this profession only part time or for money, the legal profession is not for you”. He says that the legal profession tests patience and if individuals do not have one, this profession is not for them. Mr. Soni advises them to remain persistent in order to achieve their goals and to stay consistent to maintain their supremacy. He feels that the lawyers of the first generation now weigh a lot on their shoulders. Anyone who does not feel the pride and anticipation of the family members when they begin this long journey to become a lawyer should ask themselves if they can do it and make others proud.Mr. Soni further adds that the lawyers of the first generation have independence. They have the freedom to ignite their way. No one else in the family has led the way, but nobody else has expected how they practice with whom, what kind of law, or when. This provides the lawyers with the freedom to practice according to their interests, their performance concept, and the style of practice they choose to follow. It is difficult to be a lawyer of the first generation. However, there is wonderful freedom to discover and evolve. 

He is on the distinguished panel of Court Commissioner empanelled by the Bombay High Court for recording evidence under Original Side Rules of the High Court.  

He is a permanent member of the Bombay Bar Association and a member of the Supreme Court Bar Association. 

Advocate Vaishali H. Soni is a Bombay High Court advocate and  (Head of Commercial & Transaction) at Hitesh Soni & Associates, she co-leads with the firm.

As Head of Commercial & Transaction, she oversees the firm’s corporate and commercial work, covering both contentious and non-contentious matters. She advises domestic and international commercial enterprises, corporates, financial institutions, and other clients on company law, commercial contracts, transactions, and related disputes. Her practice includes litigation before the Bombay High Court as well as non-litigation advisory and transactional support, allowing clients to receive coordinated counsel across the full life cycle of commercial issues. 

The firm has been repeatedly recognised by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific as a Notable Law Firm for Commercial and Transactions. Soni was credited with the firm’s success in the 2022 ranking, reflecting the strength of the commercial practice she leads. The firm also maintains rankings and awards in related areas such as corporate and commercial work, international trade, and dispute resolution. 

She handles commercial and corporate matters that sit at the intersection of litigation, arbitration, and transactional advice. This includes company-law issues, commercial disputes, contract-related work, and support for businesses navigating regulatory and court processes in Mumbai. Her role as Head of Commercial & Transaction places her at the centre of the firm’s service to corporate and commercial clients across its India and overseas. 

Soni completed her schooling at Padma Binani School, Pindwara, and junior college at Ruia College, Mumbai. She holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Sophia College, Mumbai, and an LL.B. from Law College (CKCL), Mumbai. During her legal education she worked with the Mumbai Legal Services Authority and the National Human Rights Commission in New Delhi. She joined the firm as a legal assistant and later became an associate after qualification. She is a permanent member of the Bombay Bar Association and the Supreme Court Bar Association.